• Force India news

Force India can maintain strong start - di Resta

Force India has started the season with a stronger pace than McLaren © Sutton Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• Drivers:
• Paul di Resta

• Teams:
• Racing Point

Force India is confident of staying ahead of McLaren at the next couple of rounds after making a promising start to the season in Australia and Malaysia.

As McLaren struggled for pace at the opening rounds, Force India was the surprise package and scored ten points in Melbourne before a wheel nut problem forced both cars to retire in Malaysia. On one-lap pace the Force India appears to have an edge over the McLaren and Paul di Resta believes it is possible to maintain that at the next two races in China and Bahrain.

"We've proven where we are at the moment, but whether we will be in that position after the next two will be hard," di Resta told the Press Association. "I've a lot of respect for what McLaren do. Although they are struggling at the moment, they can develop. But we will be pushing to stay in front of them. Our performance so far has been far better than people expected, far better than people could probably overhaul in two weeks."

After the disappointment of dropping out of the Malaysian Grand Prix, di Resta is eager to get back in the car in Shanghai.

"The next two races can't really come quick enough," he added. "Despite what happened in Malaysia we took very good positives from the weekend through our performance, so I'm looking forward to China and Bahrain.

"I'd like to think we'd have some more knowledge on our car to make it quicker, although China is a different philosophy compared to what we have experienced so far this season. But we had a good car there two years ago, and there is no reason why we can't go there and repeat that.

"As for Bahrain, that is probably one of the strongest grands prix we had last year, and with the climate similar there as to Malaysia with the heat, I'm confident."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.